If these albums were records they’d be worn down till they were smooth as a baby’s bottom.

10. The Rakes - Ten New Messages This is a great album that I can listen to straight through w/o skipping a beat. It’s high energy and really gets my blood pumping. Plus, it’s got the best song title of 2007 - “The World Was A Mess But His Hair Was Perfect”

9. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible Great musicians and a great spice of instruments make this album one of my top picks this year. I’ve read that they recorded it in an old church. It definitely has an airy feel.

8. Devendra Banhart - Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon This Devendra album is my “weirdo/bizarro” pick of 2007. I gave a listen after he was featured in an interview in Rolling Stone where he came off as a real weirdo. Surprisingly, weird as he is as a person his music is really mellow and easy to listen to.

7. Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare I was a huge fan of Arctic Monkeys when they first stormed the interweb and enjoyed listening to them before their record deal. Their sophomore effort is just as good as their freshman release. The lyrics are tight, the music is tighter.

6. Band Of Horses - Cease To Begin A late comer that really snuck up on me. I didn’t hate the album at first, but I didn’t fully appreciate it either until maybe the 3th or 4th time through. It’s become my go-to album when I have a splitting headache. With a track titled “Detlef Schrempf” (of Indiana Pacers fame) on the album how can you go wrong? I’m going to see them in late January here in Boston, I suggest you join me.

5. Kings Of Leon - Because Of The Times “Because Of The Times” is a really mature album for Kings Of Leon and it’s a welcome change from the usual thick mid-western-southern-twang I had to translate in my head on their previous albums. These guys can make great music. Checkout “Knocked Up” to fully appreciate them.

4. The Shins - Wincing The Night Away Clever lyrics, relaxing music. The Shins keep me level.

3. The Bees - Octopus The Bees have a really unique sound. To be honest, I have no idea how to categorize this band. Give them a listen and let me know how you’d categorize them.

2. The Go! Team - Proof Of Youth The Go! Team has such a unique sound as well. They’re hard to miss and they absolutely rock. I caught them in concert at the Paradise and the show was high energy and totally blew me away. [pictures]

1. Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga I got hooked on Spoon back on their previous release “Gimmie Fiction” and “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga” certainly didn’t disappoint me. I went to see them at an intimate show at the Museum of Fine Arts here in Boston and it was hands down the best concert I’ve ever been to.

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